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Science News Archive May 2018 - Page 20


Page 20 of 44

The survival of sea birds affected by ocean cycles

Researchers studied the effects of El Niño and Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) on Nazca booby survival. Young birds face low survival rates during El Niño events due to depleted fish stocks, while adults experience higher mortality in warm PDO phases due to increased reproduction difficulties.

SourceCNRS·JournalEcology·DateMay 17, 2018

Mosquito spit may affect your immune system for days

Researchers have discovered that mosquito saliva can trigger a prolonged immune response in humans, detected up to 7 days after a bite. The study found that the proteins in mosquito saliva interact with human immune cells, leading to changes in cytokine levels and T helper cell responses.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases·DateMay 17, 2018

Hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have increased risk of heart failure

A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that hospitalized patients with acute kidney injury have a 44% higher relative risk of heart failure within one year of discharge compared to those without acute kidney injury. This increased risk highlights the importance of monitoring for signs of heart failure in these patients.

SourceKaiser Permanente·JournalClinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology·DateMay 17, 2018

Blood type affects severity of diarrhea caused by E. coli

A study by Washington University School of Medicine found that people with blood type A are more likely to experience severe diarrhea caused by E. coli. Researchers identified a protein responsible for this blood-group difference, which could lead to the development of a vaccine targeting this protein.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 17, 2018

Riding bacterium to the bank

Sandia National Laboratories scientists have engineered E. coli to efficiently convert tough plant matter called lignin into valuable platform chemicals. This breakthrough solves three problems: cost, toxicity and speed, paving the way for economically viable biofuel production from renewable sources.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 17, 2018

One way social isolation changes the mouse brain

Researchers found that social isolation in mice upregulates neuropeptide Tac2/NkB, leading to increased aggression and persistent responses to threatening stimuli. The peptide is overproduced in multiple brain regions, causing diverse behavioral changes that persist even after social isolation is reversed.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMay 17, 2018

Single surface protein boosts multiple oncogenic pathways in acute myeloid leukemia

A study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that a signaling protein called interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) plays a critical role in driving the development and progression of acute myeloid leukemia. IL1RAP amplifies multiple key pathways, making it a promising target for treatment.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateMay 17, 2018

Study co-authored by UCLA scientists shows evidence of water vapor plumes on Jupiter moon

A study co-authored by UCLA scientists reveals evidence of water vapor plumes on Europa's surface, providing further support for the possibility of a vast ocean beneath its icy outer shell. The research suggests that there are energy sources in the moon's interior that would be required if life were to develop on Europa.

SourceUniversity of California - Los Angeles·JournalNature Astronomy·DateMay 17, 2018

Automated system better identifies patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia

A new automated system has been developed to identify patients at risk for ventilator-associated pneumonia, outperforming traditional manual surveillance methods. The system uses an algorithm to analyze electronic health records and was found to be 100% accurate in detecting ventilator-associated events.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalInfection Control and Hospital Epidemiology·DateMay 17, 2018

The right moves

A new study reveals that the brain relies on an exquisite balance between two populations of neurons in the striatum to control movement. The findings could help researchers develop new treatments for Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases by understanding how movement gets translated into desired action.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalCell·DateMay 17, 2018

How Nagana is carried by tsetse flies

Tsetse flies transmit Nagana disease to livestock by injecting trypanosomes into the skin, which then invade the bloodstream and cause severe illness. Understanding how these microbes develop inside the fly may lead to new methods of controlling the spread of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateMay 17, 2018

Injections for knee osteoarthritis -- 'subtle but significant' impact of revisions in clinical practice guidelines

The study analyzed an insurance database of over 1 million patients with knee osteoarthritis treated between 2007 and 2015. Updated guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons led to a decline in hyaluronic acid injections, while steroid injection rates leveled off after a recommendation against its use was made.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Bone and Joint Surgery·DateMay 17, 2018

Want to help your child succeed in school? Add language to the math, reading mix

A University of Washington-led study reveals that children's language skills are the strongest predictor of their future academic success, including better performance in math, reading and social areas. The study found that language skills, such as vocabulary and grammar, can provide a foundation for social interaction, executive funct...

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateMay 17, 2018